Modular raintank

ABSTRACT

A modular wall panel for an underground infiltration tank comprising a rectilinear periphery formed of four edge members and a plurality of internal strut members which intersect each other at a plurality of junctions. The internal strut members are arranged asymmetrically. The wall panels are provided with load bearing reinforcing nodes, located in at least one junction of the strut members to direct and dissipate the induced forces. The reinforcing nodes are of varying sizes and strength. Several modular wall panels interconnect using complementary studs and holes to assemble an individual infiltration tank module.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to Australian provisional applicationNo. 2006901293, filed Mar. 14, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to underground raintanks, and inparticularly to modular plates which form underground raintanks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Underground infiltration and raintanks are formed from plasticperforated tank modules, which are butted or stacked together to formthe required tank size, wrapped in geotextile and surrounded in gooddraining medium such as sand. The geotextile material allows water topass therethrough but prevents any sand from passing. Thus, water flowsinto the infiltration tank via a connecting pipe and percolates into thesurrounding strata through the geotextile-covered perforated walls ofthe tank.

Similarly, water percolating through the soil above the tank enters thetank through the geotextile-covered top perforated wall of the tank. Toform a reuse or water-harvesting tank, the above tank system istypically fully surrounded by a water impervious sheet. There are manyexisting underground water tank products in the market place, and eachof these suffers from various disadvantages.

Some existing products comprise two perforated half-box modules with aplurality of columns located in the box and parallel to the sidewalls ofthe box. To assemble the tank, the two half-box modules are pushedtogether such that the columns of one half-box module interlock with thecolumns of the other module. Although the tank is strong, it uses alarge amount of plastic material. Additionally, the tank contains onlyapproximately 50% void volume and water flow through the sidewalls isquite restricted.

Other products are made from perforated plastic wall panels or plateswhich interlock together to assemble individual tank modules. Theseplastic wall panels comprise a skeletal grid framework to support thegeotextiles. The skeletal framework of plastic members contains numerousapertures through which water is able to flow. Thus assembled tankmodules, while having a large void volume and better flow through thewalls, are considerably weaker than the tanks assembled from twohalf-box modules. In addition, such tank modules still use a largeamount of plastic materials and are expensive to make.

In the existing prior art infiltration wall panels, the strut membersare arranged in parallel arrays which are all of the same cross section,and the arrays intersect each other with no reinforced loading points.Such an arrangement of arrays does not distribute the loading across thepanel equally, and can concentrate forces onto particular points of thearray causing failure. As a result, the prior art wall panels areinherently weak because all the synergistic effects of parallel vectorshave no reservoir for absorbing forces on the plate.

Accordingly, a need exists for a modular raintank which would provideadequate void space and water flow through as well as a stronggeotextile-supporting skeleton, thereby avoiding the above-mentioneddeficiencies of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies this need. The invention is anunderground water infiltration system assembled from a plurality ofmodular panels which have perforated surfaces to allow water flow.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a modular wall panel for anunderground infiltration/storage raintank, comprising:

a rectilinear periphery formed of four edge members;

a plurality of longitudinally running strut members extending betweenthe edge members and intersecting the periphery edge members at aplurality of junctions;

a plurality of transversely running strut members extending between theedge members and intersecting the longitudinally running strut membersand the periphery edge members at a plurality of junctions;

at least one first reinforcing node formed at a plurality of junctionsof the longitudinally running strut members and the transversely runningstrut members and their junctions with the periphery edge members;

at least one second reinforcing node formed at a plurality of junctions,the second reinforcing node being larger in diameter than the firstreinforcing node; and

a plurality of diagonally extending non-parallel strut members extendingbetween adjacent nodes.

In one embodiment of the invention, the second reinforcing nodes arelocated closer to their adjacent transversely running strut members thanto the adjacent peripheral members.

In another embodiment, the longitudinally extending strut membersadjacent the periphery are closer to the periphery than they are to theadjacent longitudinally extending strut members.

In another embodiment, the longitudinally extending strut membersadjacent the central longitudinally extending strut member are closer tothe central longitudinally extending strut member than they are to theiradjacent other longitudinally extending strut members.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a modular wall panel foran underground infiltration/storage tank, comprising:

a rectilinear periphery formed of four edge members;

a plurality of longitudinally running strut members extending betweenthe edge members and intersecting the periphery edge members at aplurality of junctions;

a plurality of transversely running strut members extending between theedge members and intersecting the longitudinally running strut membersand the periphery edge members at a plurality of junctions;

at least one first reinforcing node formed at a plurality of junctionsof the longitudinally running strut members and the transversely runningstrut members and their junctions with the periphery edge members;

at least one second reinforcing node formed on the longitudinallyrutting strut members, the second reinforcing nodes being larger thanthe first reinforcing nodes;

at least one third reinforcing node located on a plurality of junctions,the third reinforcing nodes being larger than the first reinforcingnodes and the second reinforcing nodes;

a plurality of diagonally extending non-parallel strut members extendingbetween adjacent nodes.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a modular wall panelfor an underground infiltration/storage raintank, comprising:

a rectilinear periphery formed of four edge members;

a plurality of longitudinally running strut members extending betweenthe edge members and intersecting the periphery edge members at aplurality of junctions;

a plurality of transversely running strut members extending between theedge members and intersecting the longitudinally running strut membersand the periphery edge members at a plurality of junctions;

at least one first reinforcing node formed at a plurality of junctionsof the longitudinally running strut members and the transversely runningstrut members and their junctions with the periphery edge members;

at least one second reinforcing node formed at a plurality of junctions,the second reinforcing node being larger in diameter than the firstreinforcing node; and

a plurality of diagonally extending non-parallel strut members extendingbetween adjacent nodes,

wherein the first reinforcing and the second reinforcing nodes aresurrounded by a plurality of supporting web members, the supporting webmembers interconnecting the strut members which abut said first andsecond reinforcing nodes.

In yet another embodiment, the junctions and the reinforcing nodes whichextend along periphery edge members are also surrounded by supportingweb members which interconnect the strut members which abut the nodesand the periphery edge members.

In yet another embodiment, the wall panels have studs extending from theperiphery to mate with respective holes in other wall panels to assemblea tank module.

In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the wall panel isof substantially constant thickness. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, the strut members are thinner in width than inthickness. In yet a further embodiment, the strut members have areinforcing web running along their side surfaces.

The present invention as shown in the accompanying drawings overcomesthe problems presented by the devices of the prior art. Because themodular wall panel of the present invention contains reinforcing nodes,the thickness of the struts is reduced. Such a construction not onlysaves plastic material and increases the surface opening area of thewall panel as compared to prior art products, but provides an increasein the strength of wall panel and the assembled tank module as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a wall panel according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a wall panel according to another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a close up view of one corner of the wall panel according tothe embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a close up view of the middle portion of the wall panelaccording to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a wall panel according to another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a close up view of a portion of the wall panel of theembodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a wall panel according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a close up view of a portion of the wall panel of theembodiment shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following discussion describes in detail several embodiments of theinvention and multiple variations of those embodiments. This discussionshould not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to thoseparticular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognizenumerous other embodiments as well.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention is modularwall panel 1. The shape of wall panel 1 is defined by four peripheryframe members 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall panel includesa top periphery frame member 2 a, a bottom periphery frame member 2 b,and two side periphery frame members 2 c. Internal strut members 3extend between the periphery frame members 2. Stud members 4 extendoutwardly from periphery frame members 2.

As seen in FIG. 1, the stud members 4 can be of different sizes, withshorter studs 4 a being located on the top periphery frame member 2 aand the bottom periphery frame member 2 b, and the longer studs 4 bbeing located on the two side periphery frame members 2 c. The smallerstuds 4 a and the longer studs 4 b on wall panel 1 allow wall panel 1 tobe connected with complementary holes 6 of wall panel 5 (shown in FIG.2) when assembling an individual tank module.

To assemble an individual tank module (not shown), two wall panels 1 aretaken and four wall panels 5 are connected to and between wall panels 1,using studs 4 a and 4 b on wall panels 1 and corresponding holes 6 onwall panels 5. When four wall panels 5 are connected to two wall panels1, a box-like individual tank module is assembled.

During assembly of individual tank modules (not shown), shorter studmembers 4 a of wall panels 1 are mated with holes 6 in wall panels 5.Holes 6 of wall plate 5 are deep enough to accommodate two of theshorter stud members 4 a—one from below and one from above. Thus,assembled tank modules can be stacked upon each other so as to buildconnected multi height tank modules to create deeper rainwater tanks forthe same footprint.

The infiltration system (not shown) is typically assembled by stackingindividual tank modules on top of each other, and by placing individualtank modules in abutment with each other. The infiltration system iswrapped with a geotextile material which allows water flow-through. Thegeotextile materials used to wrap infiltration systems are well known inthe art and commercially available. The assembled infiltration systempresents improved water flow, increased tank module strength andincreased void space.

Referring back to FIG. 1, this embodiment of the present inventioncomprises an interconnecting combination of transverse struts 10,longitudinal struts 11, and diagonal struts 12. The arrangement of thestruts insures that the vector forces are distributed asymmetricallyalong the reinforced struts.

In the illustrated embodiments of the present invention, the wall panelsare provided with load bearing reinforcing structures or nodes 7, 8, and9, located in at least one junction of the strut members to direct anddissipate the induced forces. These reinforcing nodes 7, 8, and 9strengthen the interconnecting combinations of struts and absorb thetransmitted loading through the strut members, thereby increasing thestrength of the wall panel of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a closer view of a corner of wall panel 1 is shown.The periphery frame members 2 of the wall panel 1 are deep in thicknessand thin in cross section—this increases the strength of wall panel 1. Aweb member 13 is positioned along the struts 10, 11 & 12 and along theperiphery frame members 2. The web member 13 is for bracing the strutsand periphery frame members and increases their structural strength. Theweb member 13 could be positioned on one or both sides of the struts,but is preferably positioned on the inner surface of the periphery framemembers 2.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the wall panel 1 for an undergroundinfiltration/storage tank has a plurality of longitudinally runningstrut members 11. The longitudinally running strut members arepreferably parallel to each other. A plurality of transversely runningstrut members 10 intersect the longitudinal running strut members 11.Preferably, the transversely running strut members are parallel to eachother.

Referring to FIG. 4, which illustrates another close-up view of portionof the wall panel 1, reinforcing nodes 7 are formed at the junctions ofthe longitudinally 11 and transversely 10 running strut members andtheir junctions with periphery edge members 2. Additionally, sometransversely running strut members 11 contain reinforcing nodes 8, whichare stronger than reinforcing nodes 7.

Still referring to FIG. 4, reinforcing nodes 9 are located on one of thelongitudinally running strut members 11 adjacent each end thereof.Although wall panel 1 preferably contains two reinforcing nodes 9 andthey are preferably on the central longitudinally running strut member,one of ordinary skill will recognize that the number of the nodes andtheir location is variable. As compared to the other reinforcing nodes 7and 8, the reinforcing nodes 9 are relatively large cylinders with anintermediate planar web. A plurality of diagonally extending strutmembers 12 extend between adjacent nodes 7, 8 & 9.

In the illustrated embodiment, as seen for example in FIG. 3, theoutermost longitudinally running strut members 11 are closer to theperiphery edge members 2 than to their adjacent longitudinally runningstrut members 11. This arrangement assists in distributing the load theover wall panel 1. Thus, the outermost diagonal strut members 12, alongwith the outermost longitudinally running strut members 11, provide areinforced edge at the corners of the wall panel 1, with the fouroutermost diagonal strut members 12 being angled more acutely than therest of the diagonal strut members 12 of the wall panel 1. Thus, thevectors generated by a force on top of the wall panel 1 are absorbed bythe reinforced edge and the reinforced nodes (7, 8 & 9).

As the internal diagonal strut members 12 and the outer diagonal strutmembers 12 are of different orientations to each other, the plate canresist a greater loading than if the diagonal strut members were allsimilarly aligned. Hence, the combinations of the non-parallel diagonalstruts and the reinforced nodes absorb and direct the loading on theplate to strengthen the plate against compressive forces and to resistbuckling and twisting.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a wall panel 5 thatconnects to wall panel 1 when assembling a tank module. Referring toFIG. 2, wall panel 5 is rectangular in shape and comprises fourperiphery edge members 2. Similar to the embodiment of the inventionshown in FIG. 1, wall panel 5 contains multiple internal strut memberswhich extend between the periphery edge members 2. Specifically, thewall panel 5 contains longitudinally running strut members 11,transversely running strut members 10 and diagonally running strutmembers 12.

Wall panel 5 includes holes 6 positioned along two opposing peripheryedge members at their junctions with the longitudinally running strutmembers 11. In addition, there is a plurality of additional holes 6positioned along those longitudinally running strut members 11. Theholes 6 are positioned on the longitudinally running strut members 11such that they are along the same horizontal line.

Stud members 4 a and 4 b of wall panels 1 mate with corresponding holes6 of wall panels 5 when a wall panel 1 and a wall panel 5 are joinedtogether to assemble a raintank module. It can be seen that, aside fromhaving holes 6 and not having any stud members 4 a and 4 b, wall panel 5is otherwise similar in construction to wall panel 1. Unlike wall panel1, wall panel 5 includes not two but four large reinforcing nodes 9 atthe junctions between the longitudinally running strut members 11 andtransversely running strut members 10.

FIG. 5 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the wall panel of theinvention. Similarly to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, wall panel 21shown in FIG. 5 also contains peripheral edge members 2, studs 4 a and 4b, longitudinally running strut members 11, transversely running strutmembers 10, and diagonally running strut members 12. However, in wallpanel 1, only the diagonally running strut members 12 are non-parallelto each other.

Referring to FIG. 5 (and similarly to wall panel 1), the diagonallyrunning strut members 12 of wall panel 21 are zigzag-shaped andnon-parallel to each other. In contrast to wall panel 1, thelongitudinally running strut members 11 of wall panel 21 have forked endportions, with the two branches 11 a being non-parallel to each otherand to strut member 11. In addition, transversely running strut members10 also have a forked end portion, with the two branches 10 a beingnon-parallel to each other and to strut member 10. As a result, in wallpanel 5, the longitudinally running strut members 11 are non-parallel toeach other, the transversely running strut members 10 are non-parallelto each other, and the diagonally running strut members 12 arenon-parallel to each other.

Still referring to FIG. 5, wall plate 21 is similar to wall plate 1 inthat it also contains reinforcing nodes 7, 8 and 9. However, each ofnodes 7 and 8 in wall plate 21 is surrounded by a supporting web member22. As shown in FIG. 5, a supporting web member 22 surrounds itscorresponding node and interconnects all of the strut members which passthrough that node. Thus, the use of supporting web members 22 providesenhanced structural strength to the strut members of wall panel 5.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 5A, supporting web members 22 alsosurround the holes 6 and interconnect the diagonally running strutmembers 12 and the periphery edge member 2 which adjoin the holes 6. Byreinforcing the connections between the periphery edge members and theinternal strut members, the supporting web members 22 provide additionalstrength to wall panel 5.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 6, wall panel 31 is similar in size and shape to wallpanel 5 of FIG. 4. Yet, the configuration of internal struts in wallpanel 31 is similar to wall panel 21 of FIG. 5. In wall panel 31, as inwall panel 21, the longitudinally running strut members 11 arenon-parallel, the transversely running strut members 10 arenon-parallel, and the diagonally running strut members 12 arenon-parallel.

As seen in more detail in FIG. 6A, wall panel 31, just like wall panel21, includes reinforcing nodes 7, 8 and 9, which are surrounded bysupporting web members 22. In the illustrated embodiment, wall plate 31contains four large nodes 9. Like wall plate 5 of FIG. 4, wall panel 31includes holes 6 positioned along two opposing periphery edge members attheir junctions with the longitudinally running strut members 11. Also,there is a plurality of additional holes 6 positioned along thoselongitudinally running strut members 11. The holes 6 are positioned onthe longitudinally running strut members 11 such that they are along thesame horizontal line.

To assemble an individual tank module using wall panels 21 and 31, twowall panels 21 and four wall panels 31 are interconnected using longerand shorter studs of wall panels 21 and the corresponding holes 6 ofwall panels 31. A box-like individual tank module (not shown) is thusformed.

The present invention has developed a method of distributing the loadingon the wall plate with reduced plastics, increasing the void capacity,and the wall perforation capacity providing better lateral flow, ease ofmanufacture, use of less plastics, increased strength, and in someembodiments a more aesthetic look. Thus, there is provided modular wallpanels which, when connected together, provide an extremely strong tankmodule that has superb void percentage and flow rates through the wallsof the tank.

It should be obvious to people skilled in the art that modifications andalterations can be made to the above embodiments without departing fromthe spirit of the present invention.

The invention is to be determined by the following claims:

1. A modular wall panel for an underground infiltration tank,comprising: a rectilinear periphery formed of four edge members; aplurality of longitudinally running strut members extending between saidperiphery edge members and intersecting said edge members at a pluralityof junctions; a plurality of transversely running strut membersextending between said edge members and intersecting said longitudinallyrunning strut members and said periphery edge members at a plurality ofjunctions; at least one first reinforcing node formed at a plurality ofjunctions of said longitudinally running strut members and saidtransversely running strut members and their junctions with saidperiphery edge members; at least one second reinforcing node formed at aplurality of junctions, said second reinforcing node being larger indiameter than said first reinforcing node; and a plurality of diagonallyextending strut members extending between adjacent nodes and formingnon-parallel arrays with adjacent diagonally extending strut members. 2.The modular wall panel of claim 1, further comprising a plurality ofstud members protruding from said periphery edge members.
 3. A modularwall panel for an underground infiltration/storage tank, comprising: arectilinear periphery formed of four edge members; a plurality oflongitudinally running strut members extending between said peripheryedge members and intersecting said periphery edge members at a pluralityof junctions; a plurality of transversely running strut membersextending between said periphery edge members and intersecting saidlongitudinally running strut members and said periphery edge members ata plurality of junctions; at least one first reinforcing node formed ata plurality of junctions of said longitudinally running strut membersand said transversely running strut members and their junctions withsaid periphery edge members; at least one second reinforcing node formedon said longitudinally rutting strut members, said second reinforcingnode being larger than said first reinforcing node; at least one thirdreinforcing node located on a plurality of junctions, the thirdreinforcing node being larger than said first reinforcing node and saidsecond reinforcing node; a plurality of diagonally extending strutmembers extending between adjacent nodes and corners and formingnon-parallel arrays with adjacent diagonally extending strut members. 4.A modular wall panel for an underground infiltration tank, comprising: arectilinear periphery formed of four edge members; a plurality oflongitudinally running strut members extending between said peripheryedge members and intersecting said periphery edge members at a pluralityof junctions; a plurality of transversely running strut membersextending between said periphery edge members and intersecting saidlongitudinally running strut members and said periphery edge members ata plurality of junctions; at least one first reinforcing node formed ata plurality of junctions of said longitudinally running strut membersand said transversely running strut members and their junctions withsaid periphery edge members; at least one second reinforcing node formedon a plurality of junctions, said second reinforcing node being largerin diameter than said first reinforcing node; and a plurality ofdiagonally extending strut members extending between adjacent nodes andforming non-parallel arrays with adjacent diagonally extending strutmembers; wherein said first reinforcing nodes and said secondreinforcing nodes are surrounded by a plurality of supporting webmembers, said supporting web members interconnecting strut members whichabut said first and second reinforcing nodes.
 5. The modular wall panelof claim 4, further comprising a plurality of stud members protrudingfrom said periphery edge members.